Le Tallec returns to Reds

Liverpool striker Anthony Le Tallec is back at the club after a stint on loan with French top-flight side St Etienne.

Frenchman Le Tallec moved to the Stade Geoffroy Guichard last summer in a bid to get regular first-team football but found it hard to win a place in the starting line-up for Les Verts.

In a statement on club website www.asse.fr, St Etienne announced: “Loaned at the start of the season by Liverpool, Anthony Le Tallec has settled his loan contract with ASSE (St Etienne).

“He has returned to his club of origin.”

Le Tallec scored one goal in seven appearances for the once-mighty St Etienne, and will give boss Rafael Benitez another striking option, with Djibril Cisse and Florent Sinama-Pongolle long-term injuries – and the latter due to undergo surgery soon.

Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton told the club’s official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv, said: “Florent has seen a specialist today and following that consultation he will undergo keyhole surgery to assess the extent of the injury.

“After the operation we will have a better idea how long he will be sidelined for.”